Fort Simpson (Jun 23/06) - Possible water pollution caused by activities related to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline were common concerns heard by the Joint Review Panel in both Kakisa and Fort Providence.

Chief Lloyd Chicot spoke about the fear of water contamination from the current developments in the Cameron Hills area during the June 13 community hearing in Kakisa. He went on to explain the water monitoring program that the band is putting in place to monitor all of the watersheds in their land area.

Chicot said he hopes the Mackenzie Gas Project will assist the community in their monitoring efforts and help train community members for the work.

The need for open discussion about activities to be done on the land is also important, said Chicot.

"We need to support one another with regards to respecting our land," said Chicot, according to transcripts. "Our land is very important to us, so we need to protect it."

Although the proponent is developing plans to monitor environmental impacts, water quality is not part of the plan, said Randy Ottenbreit speaking for Imperial Oil. Because the pipeline will carry natural gas, any leak would go into the air instead of the water, Ottenbreit explained.

In Fort Providence on June 14 and 15, concerns for water purity centred around barge traffic.

Chief Berna Landry told the panel that the effects of the transportation of supplies by rail, highway and river and its effects on the environment, land and river are of paramount concern for the people.

During the hearing, a number of community members raised concerns about the effects of the powerful tug propellers and the possibility of barges becoming stuck.

Fort Providence will see three barge trains per day move past the community at the point of peak construction, said Ottenbreit.

Solomon Constant said pollution is already being seen in the water and on the land from other developments.

"I am afraid at the end of the day we will be forced to stop this project because of our love for this land. I don't think the elders, harvesters or the youth of this community will stand for their land being destroyed," said Constant according to transcripts.

Discussion in Fort Providence also centred around the need for proper compensation from the project.

Albert Lafferty, president of the Fort Providence Metis Council, said that until such compensation is in place, the pipeline cannot cross the land.

"We will no longer be victims who remain impoverished by central Canada's vision of development that sees Canada making national, political energy profits at the expense of the quality of life of Metis and Dene and future generations," said Lafferty according to transcripts.

Lafferty presented a list of recommendations to the panel that included the completion of a final agreement with the Fort Providence Metis Council that would offset the effect of the pipeline.

Tina Gargan, the deputy mayor of Fort Providence, also addressed possible impacts the pipeline could have on the community and the need for a community impact agreement to identify financial responsibility.